Lodi dad gets probation for death of 6-month-old left in hot car

By Rick Armon Akron Beacon Journal GateHouse Media Ohio

Friday

Oct 12, 2018 at 7:04 PM

MEDINA — A Lodi father whose 6-month-old daughter died after being forgotten in a hot car for two hours apologized Friday in Medina County Common Pleas Court for the pain he caused his wife and family.

"I know that I failed in my responsibility as a father," Christopher Lee Stewart said.

The 22-year-old, who also said he hopes to become a better husband and father, was sentenced to two years probation and avoided going to prison.

Stewart changed his plea Friday to guilty to one count of child endangering, a third-degree felony, and was sentenced immediately.

The charge stemmed from him leaving his daughter — identified in court only as "R.L.S." — in his car July 14 when he attended a youth baseball tournament at Ray Mellert Park in Medina. The outside temperature that day was 90 degrees.

Prosecutor Forrest Thompson and defense attorney Kris Aupperle had requested five years probation, with both calling the child’s death a tragedy.

Judge Joyce Kimbler opted for even less probation time than recommended. She also ordered Stewart to stay away from alcohol, submit to regular drug testing and perform 500 hours of community service to "do something positive in the memory of your daughter.

The charge carried a potential sentence of nine to 36 months in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Thompson said afterward that he was satisfied with the sentence.

While the child’s death was a family tragedy, it is still a crime and Stewart must be held responsible, he said.

"I hope the family can begin to heal," Thompson said.

He noted that since 2007 there have been 25 cases in Ohio involving children dying after being left in hot vehicles and only three individuals have been prosecuted.

Stewart’s family and his wife’s family appeared in court to support him. They didn’t speak during the proceedings and Aupperle said afterward that they didn’t want to comment.

Aupperle said the child’s death has been "tremendously difficult." He described Stewart as a quiet man who has been married for three years and works full-time as a machinist.

Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.

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